Urgent Need in Mental Health
The need for investments in Oregon’s mental health care system is urgent, some nurses in the state say. According to a study from the nonprofit Mental Health America, the state ranks among the worst, at 49th, for the combined factors of highest rates of mental illness and lowest rates of access to care. It is further worsened by the homeless situation in the state. 9th district representative for Oregon Boomer Wright says it is past the time to be taking a serious look at the situation. He said he looked at some of the agencies dealing with the problem in Salem and there needs to be some coordination of the agencies.
“They’re just spinning their wheels and as far as I’m concerned much of the money they are spending is getting wasted and not going where it needs.”
Wright proposed to the speaker of the house that they form a committee to help organize and coordinate agencies to come up with solutions and to adequately disseminate funds. Wright recently allocated funds for the mental health services at the Bay Area hospitals when they were considering closing their center. Wright is currently seeking his second term as the 9th district representative against his democratic opponent Jerry Rust.
Supplemental Ballots
One hundred voters in the City of Florence will be receiving supplemental ballots for the November 8th election in the mail this week. Lane County Elections discovered that residents of the Fawn Ridge neighborhood on Rhododendron Drive were missing the uncontested race for the Heceta Water People’s Utility District Subdivision five position. Lane County Clerk Dena Dawson apologized for the error and said a supplemental ballot including only that one item will be issued this week. Dawson said her office is also attempting to reach out personally to the 100 voters affected and will also include an explanation and instructions with the supplement.
Gas Prices
Gas prices in the Florence area have falling below $5.00 per gallon for the first time in months. The average price of a gallon of regular gas is at $4.96 a gallon. Gas prices have reduced statewide more than 20 cents per gallon over the last week with AAA Oregon averaging the price of regular at $5.08 a gallon. Lane County’s average price is even at $5.00 a gallon. Prices are still at their highest level since 2018. Overall Oregon has dropped another .26 cents per gallon on average.
